U.S. patent application number 13/348885 was filed with the patent office on 2012-08-16 for seat recliner with coaxial easy entry release.
This patent application is currently assigned to LEAR CORPORATION. Invention is credited to Johannes Barzen, Eckhard Nock.
Application Number | 20120205956 13/348885 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46579500 |
Filed Date | 2012-08-16 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120205956 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Nock; Eckhard ; et
al. |
August 16, 2012 |
SEAT RECLINER WITH COAXIAL EASY ENTRY RELEASE
Abstract
A vehicle seat and reclining mechanism are disclosed that
provide for adjusting the angle of inclination of a seat back
relative to a seat base and also permits easy entry to the area
behind the seat by allowing the seat back to be released to move
between an adjusted angle of inclination and a position in which
the seat back is folded over the seat base. The reclining mechanism
may include three or four release mechanisms that are all coaxially
attached to the vehicle seat to permit the seat back to pivot about
a single axis.
Inventors: |
Nock; Eckhard;
(Schweitenkirchen, DE) ; Barzen; Johannes;
(Pfaffenhofen, DE) |
Assignee: |
LEAR CORPORATION
Southfield
MI
|
Family ID: |
46579500 |
Appl. No.: |
13/348885 |
Filed: |
January 12, 2012 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
297/362 ;
297/361.1; 297/362.11 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60N 2/20 20130101; B60N
2205/50 20130101; B60N 2/2252 20130101; B60N 2/2254 20130101; B60N
2/2358 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
297/362 ;
297/361.1; 297/362.11 |
International
Class: |
B60N 2/225 20060101
B60N002/225; B60N 2/22 20060101 B60N002/22; B60N 2/20 20060101
B60N002/20 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Feb 14, 2011 |
DE |
10 2011 004 090.0 |
Claims
1. A recliner apparatus for a vehicle seat that includes a seat
base and a seat back, the recliner apparatus comprising: a shaft
having a first end portion that extends outboard of a first side of
the seat base and a second end portion that extends outboard of a
second side of the seat base, wherein the shaft pivots about a
pivot axis; a first recliner that connects the seat back to the
first end portion of the shaft and is adjustable about the pivot
axis to selectively hold the seat back at a selected angle within a
range of tilt angles; a second recliner that connects the seat back
to the second end portion of the shaft and is adjustable about the
pivot axis to selectively hold the seat back at the selected angle;
and a third recliner that connects the first recliner to the seat
back and is attached coaxially to the first recliner, the third
recliner being provided to pivot the seat back about the pivot axis
between a forwardly folded position and the selected angle.
2. The recliner apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first and second
recliners are disengaged while being adjusted to the selected angle
and the third recliner is operatively connected to the second
recliner, wherein the second and third recliners are disengaged
while the seat back pivots between the forwardly folded position
and the selected angle.
3. The recliner apparatus of claim 2 wherein the first and second
recliners are disengaged by actuating a first manual actuator to
adjust the seat back to the selected angle and the second and third
recliners are disengaged by actuating a second manual actuator to
pivot the seat back between the forwardly folded position and the
selected angle.
4. The recliner apparatus of claim 3 wherein the first and second
recliners are disengaged by pivoting the shaft to disengage each of
the first and second recliners by rotating a cam that disengages a
plurality of locking elements from a gear ring provided in each of
the first and second recliners.
5. The recliner apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a first
weld plate attached to the first recliner and a second weld plate
attached to the third recliner that are welded together to connect
the first recliner to the third recliner.
6. The recliner apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a fourth
recliner that connects the second recliner to the seat back and is
adjustable about the pivot axis, the fourth recliner being provided
to pivot the seat back between a forwardly folded position and the
selected angle.
7. The recliner apparatus of claim 6 wherein the first and second
recliners are continuously engaged while being adjusted to the
selected angle and the third recliner and fourth recliners are
disengaged as the seat back is pivoted between the forwardly folded
and the selected angle.
8. The recliner apparatus of claim 7 wherein the first and second
recliners each have an eccentric gear set in which an inner gear is
rotated by the shaft to drive a gear ring that is continuously
engaged by the inner gear, wherein the inner gear and the gear ring
are eccentric to each other.
9. The recliner apparatus of claim 7 wherein the shaft is connected
to a motor that rotates the shaft to adjust the first and second
recliners to the selected angle.
10. The recliner apparatus of claim 7 wherein the shaft is
connected to a rotatable knob that rotates the shaft to adjust the
first and second recliners to the selected angle.
11. The recliner apparatus of claim 6 wherein a first weld plate is
attached to the first recliner and a second weld plate is attached
to the third recliner that are welded together to connect the first
recliner to the third recliner, and wherein a third weld plate is
attached to the first recliner and a fourth weld plate is attached
to the fourth recliner that are welded together to connect the
second recliner to the fourth recliner.
12. A recliner apparatus for a vehicle seat that includes a seat
base and a seat back, the recliner apparatus comprising: a shaft
having a first end portion that extends outboard of a first side of
the seat base and a second end portion that extends outboard of a
second side of the seat base, wherein the shaft pivots about a
pivot axis; a first continuous recliner that connects the seat back
to the first end portion of the shaft and is adjustable about the
pivot axis to selectively hold the seat back at a selected angle
within a range of tilt angles; a second continuous recliner that
connects the seat back to the second end portion of the shaft and
is adjustable about the pivot axis to selectively hold the seat
back at the selected angle; a first discontinuous recliner that
connects the first continuous recliner to the seat back and is
attached coaxially to the first continuous recliner, the first
discontinuous recliner being provided to pivot the seat back about
the pivot axis between a forwardly folded position and the selected
angle; and a second discontinuous recliner that connects the second
continuous recliner to the seat back and is attached coaxially to
the second continuous recliner, the second discontinuous recliner
being provided to pivot the seat back about the pivot axis between
a forwardly folded position and the selected angle.
13. The recliner apparatus of claim 12 wherein the first and second
continuous recliners each have an eccentric gear set in which an
inner gear is rotated by the shaft to drive a gear ring that is
continuously engaged by the inner gear, wherein the inner gear and
the gear ring are eccentric to each other.
14. The recliner apparatus of claim 12 wherein the shaft is
connected to a motor that rotates the shaft to adjust the first and
second continuous recliners to the selected angle.
15. The recliner apparatus of claim 12 wherein the shaft is
connected to a rotatable knob that rotates the shaft to adjust the
first and second continuous recliners to the selected angle.
16. The recliner apparatus of claim 12 wherein a first weld plate
is attached to the first continuous recliner and a second weld
plate is attached to the first discontinuous recliner that are
welded together to connect the first continuous recliner to the
first discontinuous recliner, and wherein a third weld plate is
attached to the second continuous recliner and a fourth weld plate
is attached to the second discontinuous recliner that are welded
together to connect the second continuous recliner to the second
discontinuous recliner.
17. The recliner apparatus of claim 12 wherein the first and second
discontinuous recliners are disengaged while the seat back pivots
between the forwardly folded position and the selected angle.
18. The recliner apparatus of claim 12 wherein the first and second
discontinuous recliners are disengaged by pivoting the shaft to
disengage each of the first and second discontinuous recliners by
rotating a cam that disengages a plurality of locking elements from
a gear ring provided in each of the first and second recliners.
19. A vehicle seat comprising: a seat base; a seat back that is
pivotally connected to the seat base to pivot about an axis; a
first continuous recliner that connects the seat back to the seat
base and is adjustable about the pivot axis to selectively hold the
seat back at a selected angle within a range of tilt angles; a
second continuous recliner that connects the seat back to the seat
base and is adjustable about the pivot axis to selectively hold the
seat back at the selected angle; a first discontinuous recliner
that connects the first continuous recliner to the seat back and is
attached coaxially to the first continuous recliner, the first
discontinuous recliner being provided to pivot the seat back about
the pivot axis between a forwardly folded position and the selected
angle; and a second discontinuous recliner that connects the second
continuous recliner to the seat back and is attached coaxially to
the second continuous recliner, the second discontinuous recliner
being provided to pivot the seat back about the pivot axis between
a forwardly folded position and the selected angle.
20. The vehicle seat of claim 19 wherein a first weld plate is
attached to the first continuous recliner and a second weld plate
is attached to the first discontinuous recliner that are welded
together to connect the first continuous recliner to the first
discontinuous recliner, and wherein a third weld plate is attached
to the second continuous recliner and a fourth weld plate is
attached to the second discontinuous recliner that are welded
together to connect the second continuous recliner to the second
discontinuous recliner.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims foreign priority benefits under 35
U.S.C. .sctn.119(a)-(d) to DE 10 2011 004 090.0, filed Feb. 14,
2011, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference
in its entirety.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present invention relates to seat back reclining
mechanisms that cooperate with an easy entry seat release
mechanism.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Seat reclining mechanisms and easy entry seat release
mechanisms are known and examples of prior art patents disclosing
such devices include but are not limited to U.S. Pat. Nos.
5,611,599; 5,755,491; 5,536,217; 4,930,841; 4,668,013; 4,634,181;
and 4,629,251.
SUMMARY
[0004] A recliner apparatus is provided for a vehicle seat that
includes a seat base and a seat back that may be adjusted to change
the angle of inclination of the seat back and that may also be
released to permit easy entry to seats or storage areas located
behind the vehicle seat. In one embodiment of the recliner
apparatus, a shaft having a first end portion extends outboard of a
first side of the seat base and a second end portion extends
outboard of a second side of the seat base. The shaft pivots about
a pivot axis. First and second recliners connect the seat back to
the first and second end portions of the shaft and are adjustable
about the pivot axis to selectively hold the seat back at a
selected angle within a range of tilt angles. A third recliner
connects the first recliner to the seat back and is attached
coaxially to the first recliner to pivot the seat back about the
pivot axis between a forwardly folded position and the selected
angle.
[0005] Other features and aspects of the recliner apparatus may
include providing first and second recliners that are disengaged
while being adjusted to the selected angle. Further, the third
recliner may be operatively connected to the second recliner so
that the second and third recliners may be disengaged to pivot the
seat back between the forwardly folded position and the selected
angle. The first and second recliners may be disengaged by
actuating a first manual actuator to adjust the seat back to the
selected angle. The second and third recliners may be disengaged by
actuating a second manual actuator to pivot the seat back between
the forwardly folded position and the selected angle. The first and
second recliners may be disengaged by pivoting the shaft to
disengage each of the first and second recliners by rotating a cam
that disengages a plurality of locking elements from a gear ring
provided in each of the first and second recliners.
[0006] Another embodiment of recliner apparatus described above may
include a fourth recliner that connects the second recliner to the
seat back and is adjustable about the pivot axis. The fourth
recliner is provided to pivot the seat back between a forwardly
folded position and the selected angle. In the embodiment of the
recliner apparatus having a fourth recliner, the first and second
recliners may be continuously engaged while being adjusted to the
selected angle. For example, the continuously engaged recliners may
each have an eccentric gear set in which an inner gear is rotated
by the shaft to drive a gear ring that is continuously engaged by
the inner gear. The third recliner and fourth recliners are
disengaged as the seat back is pivoted between the forwardly folded
and the selected angle.
[0007] Continuous type recliners and discontinuous recliners that
are adjustable in small increments may be referred to a "comfort
recliners" that are used to set the angle of inclination of the
seat back to a comfortable position for the seat occupant.
Discontinuous recliners are used as the "easy entry recliners" that
are released to move the seat back between the folded forward
position and the selected or comfort position. Discontinuous
recliners used for comfort adjustment or easy entry are generally
similar in structure with the easy entry type having end stops that
permit a wide range of motion, for example, about 90 degrees. The
specific range may of course be more or less than 90 degrees
depending upon the design of the seat and the range of motion that
is necessary to move the seat from the upright comfort position to
the folded forward position.
[0008] There are a wide variety of recliner mechanisms of both the
continuous and discontinuous type. Even though two specific designs
of the two types of recliners are specifically disclosed, the
invention should not be interpreted as being limited to any
specific type of recliner. Continuous recliners are continuously
engaged and current designs do not lend themselves to releasing for
rapid travel which is preferred for easy entry mechanisms.
Discontinuous recliners of conventional design may be used for
comfort adjustment according to the invention. Conventional
discontinuous recliners can be adapted to provide easy entry with
memory by changing the end stop locations or modifying the control
plate elements.
[0009] One or two easy entry discontinuous recliners may be
combined with two discontinuous recliners to provide both comfort
and easy entry functions. Two easy entry discontinuous recliners
and two continuous recliners may be combined with two discontinuous
recliners to provide both comfort and easy entry functions.
[0010] According to another aspect of the disclosure twin
continuous and discontinuous recliners may be provided on opposite
sides of a vehicle seat. The twin recliner apparatus may include a
shaft having a first end portion that extends outboard of a first
side of the seat base and a second end portion that extends
outboard of a second side of the seat base. The shaft is mounted in
the seat to pivot about a pivot axis. A first continuous recliner
connects the seat back to the first end portion of the shaft and is
adjustable about the pivot axis to selectively hold the seat back
at a selected angle within a range of tilt angles. A second
continuous recliner connects the seat back to the second end
portion of the shaft and is adjustable about the pivot axis to
selectively hold the seat back at the selected angle. A first
discontinuous recliner connects the first continuous recliner to
the seat back and is attached coaxially to the first continuous
recliner. The first discontinuous recliner is provided to pivot the
seat back about the pivot axis between a forwardly folded position
and the selected angle. A second discontinuous recliner connects
the second continuous recliner to the seat back and is attached
coaxially to the second continuous recliner. The second
discontinuous recliner is provided to pivot the seat back about the
pivot axis between a forwardly folded position and the selected
angle.
[0011] According to one aspect of the invention in which a fourth
recliner is provided, the shaft may be is connected to a motor that
rotates the shaft to adjust the first and second recliners to the
selected angle. Alternatively, the shaft may be connected to a
rotatable knob that rotates the shaft to adjust the first and
second recliners to the selected angle.
[0012] In the three recliner embodiment, the recliner apparatus may
also include a first weld plate that is attached to one recliner
and a second weld plate that is attached to another recliner that
are welded together.
[0013] In the four recliner embodiment, a first weld plate may be
attached to one recliner and a second weld plate may be attached to
another recliner. The weld plates are welded together to connect
the two recliners. Further, the two recliners on the other side of
the seat may be welded together in the same manner.
[0014] The invention may also be characterized as a vehicle seat
that includes a seat back that is pivotally connected to a seat
base to pivot about an axis with two continuous and two
discontinuous recliner mechanisms. The first continuous recliner
connects the seat back to the seat base and is adjustable about the
pivot axis to selectively hold the seat back at a selected angle
within a range of tilt angles. The second continuous recliner
connects the seat back to the seat base and is adjustable about the
pivot axis to selectively hold the seat back at the selected angle.
The first discontinuous recliner connects the first continuous
recliner to the seat back and is attached coaxially to the first
continuous recliner. The first discontinuous recliner is provided
to pivot the seat back about the pivot axis between a forwardly
folded position and the selected angle. The second discontinuous
recliner connects the second continuous recliner to the seat back
and is attached coaxially to the second continuous recliner. The
second discontinuous recliner is provided to pivot the seat back
about the pivot axis between the forwardly folded position and the
selected angle.
[0015] Another alternative aspect of the vehicle seat embodiment
relates to providing a first weld plate that is attached to the
first continuous recliner and a second weld plate that is attached
to the first discontinuous recliner that are welded together to
connect the first continuous recliner to the first discontinuous
recliner. A third weld plate is attached to the second continuous
recliner and a fourth weld plate is attached to the second
discontinuous recliner that are welded together to connect the
second continuous recliner to the second discontinuous recliner.
The weld plates allow twin recliners to be provided on opposite
sides of the seat that permit comfort tilt adjustment of the seat
back and also easy entry with memory as to the previously adjusted
seat back position.
[0016] These and other aspects of the present invention will be
better understood in view of the attached drawings and the
following detailed description of the illustrated embodiments.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle seat that is
provided with a coaxial comfort and easy entry recliner
assembly;
[0018] FIG. 2 is a front elevation view of a continuous/easy entry
recliner assembly made according to one embodiment of the present
invention;
[0019] FIG. 3 is a fragmentary front elevation view of a vehicle
seat that is provided with a continuous/easy entry recliner
assembly that is attached to opposite sides of a seat base that
optionally may be provided with a motor according to one embodiment
of the present invention;
[0020] FIG. 4 is a fragmentary front elevation view of a vehicle
seat that is provided with a discontinuous/easy entry recliner
assembly on one side of the vehicle seat and a slave discontinuous
comfort recliner on the opposite side of the vehicle seat.
[0021] FIGS. 5A-B are an exploded perspective view of a continuous
recliner and a discontinuous easy entry recliner that are attached
by a pair of weld plates to form a continuous/easy entry recliner
assembly; and
[0022] FIG. 6 is a side elevation view of a weld plate that may be
used with another weld plate to connect two recliner assemblies
together to form a twin recliner assembly according to one
embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0023] As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention
are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the
disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention that
may be embodied in various and alternative forms. The figures are
not necessarily to scale; some features may be exaggerated or
minimized to show details of particular components. Therefore,
specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not
to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a representative basis
for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present
invention.
[0024] Referring to FIG. 1, a vehicle seat 10 is illustrated that
includes a seat base 12 and a seat back 14. A twin recliner
assembly 16 is used to adjust the angular orientation of the seat
back 14 relative to the seat base 12 in a comfort adjustment mode.
The twin recliner assembly 16 also permits the seat back 14 to be
folded flat over the seat base 12 in an easy entry with memory mode
of operation. An adjustment handle 18 is provided on the twin
recliner assembly 16 to permit manual adjustment of the twin
recliner assembly 16 in some embodiments. An easy entry release
handle 20 is provided on the seat back 14 that is used to actuate
the easy entry portion of the twin recliner assembly 16.
[0025] Referring to FIG. 2, a continuous/easy entry assembly 22 is
illustrated that includes a continuous recliner 24 that is attached
to a discontinuous/easy entry recliner 26. Many different types of
continuous recliners and discontinuous recliners are available that
may be adapted to provide the dual mode of operation wherein both a
comfort adjustment and easy entry adjustment may be provided by a
twin recliner assembly and Applicants' invention should not be
limited to one particular type of recliner mechanism or
another.
[0026] The continuous recliner 24 is provided with a first weld
plate 30 that is welded to a second weld plate 32 that is connected
to the discontinuous/easy entry recliner 26. The continuous/easy
entry assembly 22 is attached to an end portion of a shaft 34 that
extends transversely across the seat base 12 as shown in FIG.
3.
[0027] Referring to FIG. 3, a seat base 12 and seat back 14 are
shown with a pair of continuous/easy entry assemblies 22 on a first
side 38 and a second side 40 of the seat base 12. The
continuous/easy entry assemblies 22 on each side include a
continuous recliner 24 that is connected to a discontinuous
recliner 26 by the first and second weld plates 30 and 32. The
shaft 34 connects the assemblies 22 through the seat base 12. In
the comfort adjustment mode, the motor 42 or the manual knob, may
be used to turn the continuous recliner 24 on one side of the seat
with the rotation of the shaft 34 communicating the rotation to the
other side. A lever 44 is operatively connected to the
discontinuous/easy entry recliner mechanisms 26 that are provided
inboard of the continuous recliners 24 on both sides of the seat
base 12. The levers 44 are operated by control cables 46 that
extend to the easy entry release handle 20 (shown in FIG. 1). The
easy entry release handle 20 is actuated to shift the control
cables 46 and pivot the levers 44 to release the discontinuous easy
entry recliner 26.
[0028] Referring to FIG. 4, another alternative embodiment is
illustrated that includes a discontinuous/easy entry assembly 48 on
the second side 40 of the seat base 12 and a discontinuous comfort
recliner 50 on the first side 30 of the seat base 12. The
discontinuous/easy entry assembly 48 controls the discontinuous
comfort recliner 50 in one embodiment by transmitting rotational
movements through the shaft 34 when the seat back 14 is adjusted in
the comfort mode. When it is desired to provide the easy entry
function, a first easy entry control cable 52 is actuated by
actuating the easy entry release handle 20 shown in FIG. 1. When
the first easy entry control cable 52 is shifted, a slave control
cable 54 releases or engages the discontinuous comfort recliner 50.
A lever 56 is provided on the discontinuous/easy entry assembly 48
and on the discontinuous comfort recliner 50 that is operated by
the control cables 52, 54.
[0029] While the embodiment of FIG. 4 is shown with a
discontinuous/easy entry assembly 48 on one side, it is also
possible to provide two discontinuous/easy entry assemblies 48 on
opposite sides of the seat base 12. If so, both may be operated by
means of a first easy entry control cable and a second easy entry
control cable 58 that may be used to actuate the recliner
assemblies in the easy entry mode.
[0030] Referring to FIGS. 5A and 5B, a continuous/easy entry
assembly 22, as previously described with reference to FIGS. 2 and
3, is shown in the exploded perspective view. The portion of the
assembly 22 shown in FIG. 5A includes the discontinuous easy entry
recliner 26 while the portion of the assembly 22 shown in FIG. 5B
includes the continuous recliner 24. It should be understood that
the discontinuous recliner shown in FIG. 5A and continuous recliner
shown in FIG. 5B are intended as mere examples of recliner
mechanisms that may be used in accordance with the present
invention. The description of the continuous/easy entry assembly 22
is provided to facilitate implementation of Applicants' invention.
It should be understood that the discontinuous/easy entry assembly
described with reference to FIG. 4 would include a discontinuous
easy entry recliner 26 and a discontinuous comfort recliner 50 as
described with reference to FIG. 4.
[0031] Referring to FIG. 5A, a hub 60 is illustrated that is
adapted to be connected to the shaft 34 shown in FIG. 3. A guide
plate 62 is assembled to a gear plate 64 and held together by means
of a case ring 66 on the outer periphery of the plates 62, 64. The
hub 60 extends through the guide plate 62 and gear plate 64. A
spacer 68 is provided between the case ring 66 and the gear plate
64 for the purpose of noise reduction. A cam 70 is secured to the
hub 60 and is used to extend and retract a plurality of pawls 72
that are driven into engagement with, and released from, the gear
plate 64 by rotating the hub 60 and cam 70 with the shaft 34.
[0032] Each of the pawls 72 includes a protrusion 74 that adapted
to be received in corresponding slots 78 formed in a control plate
80. The control plate 80 is used to hold the pawls 72 out of
engagement with the gear plate 64 until the seat back 14 is
adjusted to the desired angular orientation relative to the seat
base 12. The same general arrangement may be used to provide an
easy entry mode of operation by providing a plurality of elongated
slots 82 in the control plate 80. The elongated slots 82 are shown
in phantom lines in FIG. 5A. By elongating the slots, a range of
free rotation of the seat back 14 may be extended to provide free
travel between the adjusted position and a fold flat position of
the seat back 14. Range of motion may be approximately 90 degrees
free travel and two latching positions may be established
corresponding to the two positions of the seat back. When the seat
back is returned to the upright position, the discontinuous comfort
recliner 50 remains in the same position and thereby provides a
"memory" of the previous comfort adjustment position. In other
embodiments of the discontinuous recliner, end stops may be
provided inside the guide plate 62 and gear plate 64 to provide
range of motion stops instead of the slot in the control plate.
[0033] A plurality of springs 84 are mounted to the guide plate 62
to bias the cam 70 to engage the pawls 72 causing them to engage
the gear plate 64. The pawls 72 are received in channels 86 formed
by guides 88 that are integrally formed in the guide plate 62.
[0034] The weld plate 32 is also illustrated in FIG. 5A that is
adapted to be secured to the gear plate 64. The weld plate 32 may
be welded or otherwise secured to the gear plate 64 and is provided
to facilitate connecting the discontinuous easy entry recliner 26
to the continuous recliner 24 illustrated in FIG. 5B.
[0035] Referring to FIG. 5B, the continuous recliner 24 is shown to
include an inner gear plate 90 that is received by an outer gear
plate 92 in a continuously meshing relationship. A driver 94 is
received within the inner gear plate 90 and the outer gear plate
92. A cover 96 is retained by the driver to provide a lubricant
seal and exclude contamination from the inner and outer gear plates
90 and 92. A case ring 98 holds the inner and outer gear plates 90,
92 together in a relatively rotatable relationship. A spacer 100 is
provided between the case ring 98 and the outer gear ring 92. A
retainer clip 102 is secured to the hub 94 to retain the hub within
the gear plates 90 and 92. A bearing ring 106 is retained in the
outer gear plate 92. A pair of wedges 108 is inserted inside the
bearing ring 106 and are urged apart by means of a spring 110. The
wedges 108 provide an eccentric connection between the inner and
outer gear plates 90 and 92 so that as the inner gear plate 90 is
rotated, the outer gear plate 92 rotates incrementally.
[0036] Referring to FIG. 6, a weld plate 30 is illustrated and is
used to secure a comfort adjustment recliner to an easy entry
recliner. The continuous or discontinuous recliners may be used
individually to provide comfort adjustment on conventional vehicle
seats. The weld plate 30 that may be attached to another weld plate
32 to join two recliners together in a coaxial relationship this is
aligned with the central axis of the shaft 34. The weld plate 30
includes openings 18 that are adapted to receive posts 116 as shown
in FIG. 5B that are normally used to secure the recliner to the
seat frame (not shown). The posts 116 shown in FIG. 5 are received
in the openings 118 so that the weld plate 30 may be welded to the
outer gear plate 92. Similarly, a weld plate 32 as shown in FIG. 5B
may be welded to the gear plate 64 with two protrusions 120 being
received in two openings 122. The protrusions 120 are formed in the
exterior surface of the gear plate 64 and the openings 122 are
provided in the weld plate 32 to align the parts. The weld plates
30 and 32 are then welded together by conventional welding
techniques to weld a first set of flanges 124 on the first weld
plate to a second set of weld flanges 126 that are provided on the
second weld plate 32.
[0037] While embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and
described, it is not intended that these embodiments illustrate and
describe all possible forms of the invention. Rather, the words
used in the specification are words of description rather than
limitation, and it is understood that various changes may be made
without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
* * * * *